Gary Barlow’s Jubilee anthem tops charts

Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth Band have reached number one in the UK singles charts with the Diamond Jubilee anthem Sing, which he co-wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The track, which Barlow performed with the Band at last Monday’s Diamond Jubilee concert, leapt ten places up the charts to dethrone last week’s number one from Rudimental.

And the X Factor judge and Take That singer made it a double whammy after the accompanying long-player, also entitled Sing, held on to the top spot in the album charts.

“It’s been such a great week, it would take something very special to top it,” Barlow said of his chart success.

“I’d like to say thanks on behalf of about 200 people, as we’ve got a massive cast on this record. I love collaborating with other artists and being able to put them all on one stage, the other night was such an honour for me. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

A number of those involved, including the Military Wives Choir, performed the song on stage at the concert in front of Buckingham Palace, which was watched by a TV audience of over 17 million.

There has been suggestion that Barlow’s efforts in organising the event will be rewarded with an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list next weekend.